Temple blocks

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This article is about the percussion instrument. For Chinese wood blocks, see Wooden fish. For other uses, see Temple Block.
Temple blocks
Modern Templeblocks.jpg
Percussion instrument
Classification Percussion
Hornbostel–Sachs classification111.242.221
(Sets of hanging bells without internal strikers)
Related instruments
Builders

The temple block is a type of percussion instrument. It is descended from the muyu, an instrument originating from eastern Asia, where it is commonly used in religious ceremonies.[1][2]

Description[]

It is a carved hollow wooden instrument with a large slit. In its traditional form, the muyu, the shape is somewhat bulbous, but modern instruments are often rectangular in shape.[3] They are generally played in sets of four or more to give a variety of pitches, in which they are also known as "tone blocks".[4] In Western music, they can be traced back to early jazz drummers where they were sometimes called "dragons' mouths" before being later adopted into widespread orchestral use.[5][6] An updated version of the instrument, known as "granite blocks", is made out of plastic rather than wood.[7]

The sound of temple blocks is similar to that of wood blocks, although temple blocks have a darker, more "hollow" timbre.[8] In their most common configuration of five, temple blocks are typically tuned to a pentatonic scale. Despite this, they are generally not considered pitched percussion.[9]

Temple blocks are often used as sound effects, such as in Leroy Anderson's "The Syncopated Clock" and "Sleigh Ride", where they mimic a ticking clock and a galloping horse, respectively.[10] They can also be used to reinforce the melody. John Barnes Chance's Incantation and Dance and Variations on a Korean Folk Song both have temple blocks introduce and double the motifs that appear within the music.[11]

References[]

  1. ^ Blades, James (1992). Percussion Instruments and Their History (Rev. ed.). Westport, CT: Bold Strummer. p. 391. ISBN 978-0-933224-71-1. OCLC 28230162.
  2. ^ Beck, John H. (2014). Encyclopedia of Percussion (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-415971-23-2. OCLC 939052116.
  3. ^ Cook, Gary (2018). Teaching Percussion. Australia: Cengage. p. 243. ISBN 9781337672221. OCLC 1100674819.
  4. ^ Kalani (2008). All About Hand Percussion. Los Angeles, CA: Alfred Music. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-7390-4964-8. OCLC 227032333.
  5. ^ Cirone, Anthony J.; Grover, Neil; Whaley, Garwood (2006). The Art of Percussion Playing (1st ed.). Galesville, MD: Meredith Music. p. 88. ISBN 1-57463-047-4. OCLC 70782197.
  6. ^ Vetter, Roger. "Temple Blocks". Grinnell College Musical Instrument Collection. Grinnell College Libraries. Retrieved 2022-02-14.
  7. ^ Kight, Jacob Marcus (2020). "The Rearrangement and Assignment of Wind Band Percussion Parts for Optimal Performance". Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations. Florida State University. p. 8.
  8. ^ Skidmore, David (2012). "Wood / Temple Blocks: Vic Firth Percussion 101". YouTube (video). Vic Firth. 0:38.
  9. ^ Black, Dave; Gerou, Tom (1998). Essential Dictionary of Orchestration. Los Angeles, CA: Alfred Music. p. 246. ISBN 978-1-4574-1299-8. OCLC 1120720854.
  10. ^ Kruckenberg, Sven (2002). The Symphony Orchestra and Its Instruments. Edison, NJ: Chartwell Books. p. 197. ISBN 0-7858-1522-8. OCLC 51725370.
  11. ^ Linaberry, Robin (2021). Strategies, Tips & Activities for the Effective Band Director. New York, NY: Taylor & Francis. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-003-03419-3. OCLC 1200832393.
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